Comprehensive Plan Draft Features Value and Contribution of Parks

After nine months of documentation, background research, public meetings, drafts and revisions, the final product of the Rapid City Comprehensive Plan update is on its way to decision makers. An important guiding tool such as this would usually be kept up to date every five to 10 years, but aside from some subsections, our city’s plan has not been refreshed … Read More

Omaha Street Reconstruction Planned for 2016

The Rapid Creek greenway and the creek itself may gain some benefits from planned improvements to Omaha Street from Mountain View Road to 12th Street. The main purpose of the project, outlined Monday night at a public meeting in city hall, is to upgrade the road surface, which according to project engineers, “is at the end of its useful life.” … Read More

Bike Path interpretive signs to get tech update

When Friends of Rapid City parks hosts the second annual “Memory Walk” this Sunday to commemorate the 1972 flood, and celebrate the legacy of parks that city leaders built from its destruction, walkers will have a chance to look forward as well as back. During the stroll of about 2 miles from Sioux Park to the bridge at Omaha Street … Read More

What value, green space?

Studies have shown that parks and open space increase values for adjacent property by 20 percent. Open space is the number one consideration for small, hi-tech companies looking to relocate, because their highly educated work force is willing to sacrifice high income for high quality of life. Can Rapid City tap the economic growth potential of its parks and open … Read More

Friends presses for park and trail connections in land trade

The Hon. Sam Kooiker Mayor City of Rapid City 300 Sixth Street Rapid City, SD 57702 2 November 2012 Dear Mayor Kooiker, Thank you for asking Friends of Rapid City Parks to comment on the proposed land trade between the city and Dream Design International, Inc. to exchange acreage in the Wally Byam Property for acreage near the airport. We … Read More

Memorial Park Promenade first step on the path, not the final destination

Statement of Friends of Rapid City Parks to Rapid City Council, May 7, 2012. Friends was founded in 2005 to advocate for our parks.  We have more than 100 members and have mobilized up to 300 supporters on issues affecting the parks. Tonight we are speaking in support of the proposal by Destination Rapid City to create the Memorial Park … Read More

Pedestrian & Bike Path Proposals Under Review

Rapid City’s growth management department and Alta Planning unveiled a master plan in mid-April to make bicycling and walking an integral part of transportation in Rapid City. The plan recommends 10 priority projects including signage, bike lanes and shared lanes, that could be done in the near future. It builds on existing trails and paths that run through the parks … Read More

Bike and Pedestrian Path Consultants at Open House

Consultants working on a Rapid City bike and pedestrian path study will be on hand to hear from interested folks at an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow, (Wednesday, June 23) in the 3rd floor conference room of the City/School Administration Center. Alta Planning + Design is preparing a Master Plan for the city and the Metropolitan Planning … Read More

2012 Report Goes to Council June 30

The three committees of the 2012 Phase Four process will present their report at a special meeting of the Rapid City Council at 6 p.m., June 30 in council chambers. The committees, Economic Development, Municipal Infrastructure and Civic Improvements, heard from project proponents at six public meetings in May and June.  Committee chairs Gary Drewes, Scott Amos and Gladys Storm … Read More